'King of the Hill' star Mike Judge buys in Santa Monica

"King of the Hill" creator and star Mike Judge has purchased a Santa Monica house from Richard Taite, chief executive of the Cliffside Malibu rehab facility, for $4.45 million.

The two-story contemporary Mediterranean, built in the mid-70s, features three stone fireplaces, custom ironwork, wood-beam ceilings and mosaic tile work. The four-bedroom, 41/2-bathroom house includes a gym in its more than 3,700 square feet of living space. There is also a detached office/guesthouse.

The animator and voice actor, 49, created and stars in MTV's "Beavis and Butt-Head." He has won two Emmys. Judge's films include the 1999 satire "Office Space."

The property, which Taite bought in 2009 for $3.6 million, had been listed at $4.895 million.

Dawn Robertson of Keller Williams Beverly Hills was the listing agent, while Joseph Tourtelot of Coldwell Banker Malibu represented Judge, according to the Multiple Listing Service.